Big girl

And so it happened once again that a child in my house turned one.  Emme's first birthday came and went with less fanfare that I would probably have liked, but she's one and won't remember any of it.  (Maybe I should have thought of that before I started documenting every detail of my kids' lives here...).  The big birthday started on Friday with her one-year checkup at the pediatrician's office.  Oliver came with us, both because it was an early appointment and I didn't want to take him to daycare before it, but also because I wanted to have his ears checked.  He so often has ear infections without me knowing it, and if he continues to have them over the next six months, we may have to think about a second set of tubes (since the first has now completely fallen out).  Emme measured in at 18 lbs., 9 oz. (15th percentile), 29 1/4" (55th percentile), and head circumference of 17 1/2" (30th percentile).  She's little compared with Oliver's 23+ pounds at his first birthday (and tiny compared to his current 36 pounds!), but I love it.  The nurse actually measured her twice because she hadn't gained any weight since her last appointment.  I pointed out that her December weight included a 2-3 pound cast, but regardless she did fall in her percentile.  Her surgery, the subsequent infection, and her general business probably account for the slowed growth, but there's no doubt she's overall healthy and developing right on schedule.

It turns out that both the kids had an infection in one ear (opposite the ears that were infected at Oliver's three-year checkup).  They're both on amoxicillin.  It baffles me because neither usually shows any indication that they're in any discomfort.  Dr. Rauth is repeatedly shocked at how bad Oliver's ears can look (and yes, she does know what his ears look like healthy as a comparison) without him running a fever or complaining.

They both went to daycare after the appointment so that I could get some work done.  Emme wore her first birthday onesie that Aunt Laura gifted her at Christmas.  Before I picked them up in the afternoon, I stopped by Harris Teeter and got two helium birthday balloons that I knew they would like.  I also put back up the multi-man tent in the living room, thinking that would be a big hit.  The kids' enjoyed both he balloons and the tent (while Lucy liked neither).

Wes had an evening shift on Friday, so we waited to do cupcakes and such until Saturday.  I did make Emme's mark in the doorway that night -- I thought it was more important that it was "official" than that Wes was there for it.  Consequently, though, I couldn't get any really good pictures of Emme standing next to it.  Oliver somehow helped me get the mark made, but that was about it.  Both kids were in bed a little early, and I wasn't far behind.

Saturday morning the kids and I did a bunch of errands (it becomes a "bunch" when you go to both Target and Wal-Mart and Costco in the same morning).  It ended, as I had repeatedly promised Oliver, with a trip to The Painted Cupcake for Emme's birthday cupcakes.  Emme wore her "1" shirt that day, though it didn't make it all the way until dinner time.  When evening finally came, Emme was fussy, Oliver wouldn't eat any of the dinner, and Wes and I were both in foul moods.  But I didn't want to wait another night to celebrate, so I relented and let Oliver have half a cupcake, even though he didn't have any real dinner.  He and Emme split a strawberry one with pink frosting.  We did the one candle, we sang the song, and I think Emme went to bed thirty minutes later.  We finished the mixed half dozen of cupcakes (some kind of chocolate, peanut butter, pumpkin, and others) over the next few days, and they were the best I've had in Nashville.  Very moist, just enough icing, not sickeningly sweet.

There were no presents this year.  I will be sure in future years, when she's old enough to remember, to have a birthday present for her, even so soon after Christmas.  Wes's birthday (and my sister's) is right around Christmas, so I've heard enough to know that there has to be a distinct celebration for it to feel real.

So the day is done.  I wish there had been something that felt a little more special.  I wish I had better pictures to remember it all.  But regardless, it happened, and I now once again have a one-year-old in my house.  Oliver keeps asking if Emme is still a baby now that she's one and kind of walking.  I don't know that I have an answer for him.

Vaccinated

Ollie and Emme had a pediatrician's appointment today.  This was Oliver's 3-year well-child visit and Emme's 9-month well-child visit, but it just so happened that both have had recent health complications.  Oliver had a red, swollen...boy part last week.  It has since gone away, though Oliver mentioned several times last week that it was "still bothering him."  Wes and I figured he had just picked up the language we had used to ask him if it was, in fact, still bothering him, as there were no symptoms to suggest that anything was still wrong.  But, since he is uncircumcised, we wanted to make sure there were no issues (there weren't).  Emme has been sick for almost a week -- a higher fever that kept her out of daycare last week, followed by a low-grade fever and horrible nights of sleep since Saturday.  So here's what we found out:

• Oliver can pee in a specimen cup if necessary.  He thought is was hilarious.
• Ollie is 35 lbs., 4 oz. (80th %tile) and 39" (85th %tile).  The pediatrician thinks he'll be about 6 feet tall.
• Emme is 17 lbs., 5 oz. (25th %tile -- my little girl!) and 27 5/8" (60th %tile).  Her head circumference is 17 1/8" (up to the 40th %tile -- whew!).
• Oliver's right ear tube has dislodged and -- shock! -- he has a nasty ear infection in it (with nary a symptom of one).  The doctor pulled a glob of black, nasty earwax out before diagnosing him.  
• Emme's left ear is infected.  I'm hoping this is an explanation for the persistent low fever and night wakings.  Hoping...hoping.  Both kids are on amoxicillin.
• Kids don't like shots.  Oliver got his flu vaccine and a PCV booster.  The last time he got a shot, probably around 18 months, he didn't even cry, so I thought he'd be okay.  Wrong.  Cried and cried.  And even more when the nurse realized that the doctor had forgotten to tell her about the PCV booster, which meant Ollie had two separate shots and freak-outs rather than two quick shots in one freak-out.  He calmed down when I mentioned the stickers by the sign-out desk.  He said later -- several times -- "Mom, I don't like shots."  Emme, suffice it to say, also did not enjoy her flu vaccine.  Since she didn't get one last year, she'll get a booster in one month.  Lucky her.

So overall, smart, (mostly) healthy, happy children.  

Wes and I also happen to have gotten our flu vaccine's today.  VUMC had "Flulapalooza," during which time, they vaccinated more than 12,000 Vanderbilt faculty, staff, and students and set a world record for most vaccinations given in an 8-hour period.  I felt a little like a cow being herded, but it was fast, free, and relatively painless.  Here's hoping the vaccines keep us flu-free all winter!

Inching along

Emme had her six-month pediatrician's appointment today.  She is 26 3/4 inches long (75th percentile), 15 lbs., 9oz., (35th percentile), and has a 16 3/8 inch head circumference (25th percentile).  She is still almost a full pound smaller than Oliver was at four months, but she's growing right in line with her growth curve, so all is well.

She is also nearly crawling, if not actually so.  She gets on her belly and uses some combination of her arms, knees, and feet to inch forward (and sometimes backwards), along with rolling to get where she wants to go.  And now it is all intentional.  She sees something, she wants it, and she goes after it.  Often to include Oliver's toys.  Fortunately, he finds that funny right now.  I'm not sure how long that will last, though.  Her postures look a little like the three-point stance of football players on the line as she reaches for things.  She's also started making some new noises that include the "b" and "m" consonants.  She has several times in the last two days said something that sounds like "mama," and even though it's not really and she's certainly not directing it at me, it's hilarious (and wonderful) to hear her say it.

Ollie came to the doctor's appointment, too, this morning.  It was early, so I didn't want to drop him at daycare beforehand, and he's been asking to go to the hospital or the doctor since Emme was born.  I told him that Emme would get some shots and that he could hold her hand and make her feel better when she got them.  He then kept talking about the "shots store" and that we were going to pick up some shots for Emme ("not for me," he would remind me).  She did a really great job -- didn't even cry from the first one and just a few seconds after the others.  Ollie found the whole thing strange but interesting and really liked that he got a sticker (a Lego construction sticker at that) at the end, even though he wasn't the patient!

Back in three more months and off to the plastic surgeon in a few weeks to make plans for the next surgery.  With any luck, she'll be walking (or close) before that happens so that the surgery and cast don't delay her.

My little girl

Emme had a well-baby visit today, so we got more recent measurements.  She is 12 lbs., 13 oz. (25th percentile), 25 1/4" (80th percentile), and her head circumference is 15 5/8" (15th percentile).  This is all in line with her previous percentiles, so it's fine for her.  She is clearly health and very happy, smiling and cooing at the doctor during her appointment.  And right now, she is -- inexplicably -- a long, skinny baby.

Just for comparison, Oliver at eight weeks was already heavier than Emme is now, at 13 lbs. even.  At four months, he was 16 lbs., 3 oz. and 26" long.  But he, too, was only in the lower percentiles for head circumference.

Beetlejuice

Emmeline had her 2 month checkup with her pediatrician yesterday.  She is doing great, of course, but it's always nice to get her official measurements.  She's grown almost 2 inches since her 4-week appointment, but she's only gained about a pound a half (from 8 lbs. 13 oz. to 10 lbs. 8 oz.), despite her excellent eating. She is around the 80th percentile for length (a highly interpretative measurement with a baby), 40th percentile for weight, and continues to be around the 20th percentile for head circumference.  Her pediatrician was very impressed with her neck and shoulder strength.  When she saw Emme push her arms and head up when lying on her belly, she commented that was a four-month milestone.  Perhaps it's because of her small head or because she can see that she'll have to be strong to survive in house with Oliver, but it's fun to see such a little person trying to be so big.  She even likes to stand and push up on her legs when held.

Emme's doctor assured us that the fussy evening period usually peaks between 6 and 9 weeks, but I'm not sure anyone's told Emme that.  I did get a swing today (though I'm leaving it in the box and keeping the receipt), so if the troublesome evening period continues, we might try that.  She is stretching out her nights more.  I've seen a few 5-hour and even one 7-hour sleep stretch.  Of course, I'm not always in bed when that happens, but it's a move in the right direction.  I also read somewhere and had another mom mention to me that we should try to put her down earlier, like 6 or 7 o'clock, to help her sleep better (though, as Wes pointed out, it's not like we're keeping her up).  She sleeps fine once she's down, but helping her settle for that first stretch of sleep has been a real challenge the last few nights.  But as they say, this too shall pass -- and all too soon, I dare say.

Emme got her vaccinations yesterday, too.  I knew what to expect, having watched Oliver bump her head often enough to evoke her greatest rage.  She was pretty easily consoled, though.  We did end up giving her some acetaminophen last night, when her crying got even louder than the normal fussing.  She's been down for a big long nap today, too, but hasn't been especially cranky.  Next appointment with the pediatrician in two months -- and hopefully not before!

*To understand Wes's reference in the title, view this video clip. 

Stats

Emmeline had her 4 week appointment with the pediatrician today.

Height: 21.5" (75th percentile)
Weight: 8 lbs., 13 oz. (45th percentile)
Head circumference: 14 1/8" (25th percentile)

Next appointment in four weeks, when it's time for her next immunizations.

  

Growing

I moved the Exersaucer up one setting. The boy's legs are getting long.

You big baby

Oliver had his four-month check-up on Monday. He is 16 lbs., 3 ozs. (75th %tile, which is consistent from birth), 26 inches long (90th %tile, which is a leap from his 2 month apopintment). He has a big head -- a lot bigger than before, in fact -- his percentile went from 25th to 75th, which Wes says it's not supposed to do, but the pediatrician insists in normal at this age. It all seems proportional to me.

After checking out the pediatrician, Oliver flashed some of his best smiles to win her over. It wasn't enough, however, to keep her from sending in the nurse with another rotovirus oral vaccine and four shots. He screamed, as expected, but was pretty easily consoled with hugs and kisses from mom.

Two months

Ollie had his 8-week appointment at the pediatrician's office yesterday. Our new (but same office) highly animated pediatrician informed us that he is 13 lbs. (up from 7 lb. 5 oz. at birth) and 24 inches (up from 21.5" at birth) and all else is well, too. He got four -- four! -- shots, two in each leg, plus the rotovirus immunization, which is oral. He bellowed and turned red when it happened but was easily consoled thereafter.

Ollie's Journal, Days 7 and 8

Things I did:

1. Learned to nurse! We still have some work to do, but mom is very happy about this.
2. Met my pediatrician. I weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz., and I am 20.5" long. Oh, and I can hear.
3. Visited some of mom's and dad's friends at and near the hospital. They were nice and thought I was really cute.
4. Went shopping. Dad got a shirt for his interviews coming up, and today Lucy got some treats that are supposed to make her smell better.
5. Tried tummy time again. I liked it a little more.

Right now: Waking up.